Madeleine One Month

Madeleine taken with dad on October 5, 2002 somewhere in Central London.

Ossie

Sonnet, here on the opening evening of her Ossie Clark exhibition at the V and A, chose to wear a classic blouse by the designer. Ossie was an international style icon of the '70s and early '80s who brought flair and sex to rock stars and celebrities alike (Ossie fans include Mick Jager, Liza Minelli and Jimi Hendrix) and was immortalised in the David Hockney painting now on display at the National Gallery. Sonnet's party sees >600 guests on a splendid July evening in South Kensington including Kate Moss (fairy-like voice BTW), Marian Faithful and Hockney the painter. Sonnet's mother Silver warmly greets each and every one at the entrance of the museum. Bravo!

California Visitor

Moe the master photographer practices his craft during a visit to Grande Bretagne. The building in the background is a) Jeff and Sonnet's house; b) public "services"; or c) Buckingham Palace.

Eitan's first day

Eitan, full of pride and excitement and with his Bob the Builder lunch box, marched happily to his first day of Montessori at St. Mary's Church. Without a tear or whimper, he walks into his class of 15 children and immediately settles in to story-time, games and new friendships (we should be so lucky to be three again). Madeleine isjealous, but soon realises that she will have Letty all to herself, which partially makes up for the Big Gyp - but only just.

Bouncy Castle

Eitan gleefully collects all the pillows in our house (10/6/2003), placing them carefully on the living room (hard) floor. He and Madeleine stand on the couch and launch themselves into the air, landing with a thud and squeel of joy. This has gone on for hours, and days on end.

Heat Wave UK

On the hottest day in the history of the UK (12/8/2003), the (carless) Orenstein traveling circus braved public transportation to attend a birthday party in northwest London. While the adults sweated out the afternoon, the over-heated amped-out kids took advantage of the indoor "jumping castle", chocolate cake galore and general freedom to run amuck. All enjoyed a cold bath before early thankful retirement.

Drama queen

I'm sure that all the Orensteins and Jewish members of that side of the family are happy to know that our very own Madeleine Blaine has been chosen to be The Angel in this year's Christmas play 'Whoops-a-Daisy Angel' at St. Mary's Montessori. Our little drama queen is looking forward to belting out her song (parent's still remark- smirk?- at her shattering rendition of 'The Bossy King' at last year's seasonal finale).

Snow

It snowed yesterday for about one half hour. Though a day late for Christmas, it did allow the kids a much needed holiday break from the television set. Yesterday and today were otherwise spent at the historical town of Portsmouth, home of the Victorian docks and housing ancient war ships HMS Warrior (the world's first steel-hulled ship) and HMS Victoria (Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar). Of greater importance, our hotel had a pool. The kids and we are grateful for your holiday wishes, presents and love.

Eitan turns 3

Eitan celebrated his third birthday today (official date: 30/9) at the Mortlake Town Hall with 25 children. With parents, it made for a festive London afternoon. Sonnet prepared Bob The Builder surprise snack boxes (whoopie cushions and wonder bread sandwiches included) and served cupcakes, chocolate cake (of course), ciapata sandwiches and other similar home-made fair. The kids ran wild from 3 to 6pm with time to wish Eitan best wishes. Presents to be opened tomorrow morning after pancakes.

Eitan's Star

Eagerly this morning Sonnet and I attend Eitan's school Christmas recital. With great enthusiasm the nativity is recreated in song, modern dance, costume and of course Baby Jesus. Our little hero was a bit timid (perhaps the 200 camera flashes going off together) but carried himself with dignity throughout despite the circumstances. He is greeted afterwards with hugs, kisses and smiles from his teacher the fabulous Miss Adams and us.

Eitan 5

Last weekend Eitan celebrated his fifth birthday with eight locals, and a Sonnet-prepared agenda which maintained the kiddie schedule to the minute (Uncle Anthony helped keep everybody entertained). Festivities included story telling, ice cream sundae making, time trials (timed sprints up and down our block) and the piñata, which was lovingly made by our nanny Letty, Eitan and Madeleine the week before. For the piñata finale, Madeleine decided for some reason that she had to be naked (it was a battle to keep her knickers on), but any indecency was overcome by her powerful over-head swing. Fyi Eitan put out the candles in one mighty blow.

Halley

Sonnet's Smith friend Halley visits from Exeter. We spent our first night in London on Halley's living room floor in East Dulwich in 1997. The evening was notable as Diana died in Paris. Clueless to the tragedy I awoke, bleary-eyed, to a full-throttle outpouring of emotion for the gone Princess: flowers, grievance books, tears ! that did not let up for many months. Diana's death allowed the nation to morn and briefly shed its inhibitions. It has taken ten years to reconcile these memories against the British I have come to know - and appreciate - today.

Walkman

Madeleine had never listened to music via headphones before when I took this series of photos of her. At first she was quite hesitent but eventually came around to The Smashing Pumpkins' 'Despite All My Rage'.... Now both kids fight for the computer jack when I am working from home.

Eitan by the Thames

Eitan stands in front of the Millenium bridge connecting the Christopher Wren cathedral and the new Tate Modern. We took the Tate-to-Tate boat Sunday morning, and Sonnet made a picnic which we finished in a small park in Chelsea and despite the windy weather (both kids chased birds). The Tate has Rachel Whiteread's white box expo on display, and Eitan and Madeleine were keen to summersault and race down the long sloped entrance way.

My first blog

This is my first blog!

I took this photograph of the kids in front of the Royal Albert Memorial on a rainy Sunday afternoon in early January '06. We had spent the afternoon at the Science Museum, across the street from the V A where Sonnet was working on her book. Both kids were tired, and the last thing they wanted was another photograph by dad. Eitan simply refused to look at the camera while Madeleine - well, the picture says it all.

Jeff Orenstein, 8/3/2006